About Me

Thirty-five years ago, while sitting on the beach playing with my young children, I made my first basket out of a pile of willow trimmings someone had tossed there. It looked like a crazy birds nest, but the simple experience of weaving with the materials at hand, while being together with my two sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, kindled a passion in me for creating art using plant fibers. I thank my family, my community, and all my teachers for cultivating this gift in me.

I began my career as a pediatric nurse, born and raised in Seattle. But thirty-nine years ago, when my family moved into an old house in Indianola, Washington, I found a small Salish basket left there on a shelf. The late Upper Skagit Elder, Vi Hilbert, once said: “An Old Native Basket has a life of its own, and it has something to teach each person that holds it.” For me, holding that basket touched my heart, making me want to learn “who made this”, “what are the materials”, “how did they construct this”, “why was it made”, “how was it used”. The physical act of touching and holding the old basket gently guiding me towards another career as an artist and teacher. Sharing a love of culture, environmental stewardship, and the healing nature of weaving with plants, is my passion.

“An intimate participation leaves a memory as long as you are on the earth”….Skokomish Elder, Bruce Miller

This website is dedicated to my three grandchildren, Camas, Asha and Calla.

About Melinda

Thirty years ago, while sitting on the beach playing with my young children, I made my first basket out of a pile of willow trimmings someone had tossed there. The experience of weaving with the materials at hand while being together with my sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, kindled a passion for creating art from natural plant materials. I thank my family, my community, and all my teachers for cultivating this gift in me.Read More